A common question that I get is, "When will Dell start promoting desktop Linux computers?" As the largest seller of computers, Dell is significant ( 16.5% market share ), but unfortunately the answer is "probably not for a long time." Given the economic dependencies of the Dell-Microsoft relationship, Dell risks impacting their profitability if they actively promote desktop Linux. While some within Dell see desktop Linux fast approaching and want to be a leader, the realities of their financial ties to Microsoft eventually rear up and short circuit any meaningful development.